SANDHURST faces a huge test against the in-form Golden Square in Sunday’s fifth round match in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy season.
The Dragons and Bulldogs will play at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo’s View Street from 1pm.
Percentage separates the top-four teams who all have three-one records.
It’s fourth against third as Sandhurst meets Golden Square.
Both teams take winning form into this contest.
Sandhurst won last Sunday’s match on Eaglehawk’s ground at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park by 34 points.
The Darren Walsh-coached Golden Square broke Castlemaine’s unbeaten streak in a 29-21 victory under the Wade Street lights last Friday night.
A Sandhurst team coached by Liam Ireland and Andrew Saladino includes Lily and Ruby Campbell, Amanda Carrod, Phoebe Cuttriss, Kodi Jacques, and Chelsea Reeves.
Players to watch in the blue and gold include co-captains Carly Geary and Liz Watkins, along with Kate Douglass, Gabby Drage, Karley Hynes and Taylah Moore.
A newcomer to the league, Wedge-Tailed Eagles has soared to the top perch on the ladder.
The Phil Hawkes-coached Eagles will be back at Woodend’s Racecourse Reserve on Sunday for a 1pm showdown with Eaglehawk.
Plenty of attacking options in the Eagles’ line-up which includes Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, Jorja Bennett and Emma Williams.
Other players to watch for WTE include captain Teagan Ainslie, Natalie Korinfsky and Courtney Johns.
Huge challenge for the Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk as it chases its second win of the season.
Key players for the Two Blues include captain Eliza Long, Monique Gavriliadis, Caitlin Evans, Kelly Mensforth, Lexie Moss, and Lucy El Hage.
White Hills will be back at Scott Street to face Bendigo Thunder.
The Demons did not play last Sunday as Marong forfeited the match at Malone Park.
A White Hills team coached by Sharni Barker and Allara Jackson includes Ella Henery in the centre, Jorja Gibson, Catherine Fry and Kara Kane in attack, captain Sasha Pearce in the ruck, and Kadeisha Smith as rover.
Key players for the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder include co-captains Sharlene Cole and Hollie Maher, Stacey Barbagallo, Shastia Martion, Jasmine Alcon, and Yanna Hender.
The round kicks off with Friday night’s match between Castlemaine and Marong at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 7pm.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine is on the rebound from a rare defeat after last Friday night’s eight-point loss on Golden Square’s turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Castlemaine’s team includes captain Tiahna Cochrane, Tiffany Bradley, Paynton Jolliffe, Taylah Sartori, Tarni Williams.
Marong Panthers forfeited last Sunday’s match with White Hills.
The Panthers are coached by Brett Carter.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Wedge-Tailed Eagles 550 per cent, 12 points; Castlemaine 492, 12; Golden Square 259, 12; Sandhurst 182, 12; White Hills 330, 8; Eaglehawk 28, 4; Bendigo Thunder 6, 4; Marong 5, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
14 Emma Williams, WTE.
11 Jorja Bennett, WTE.
9 Brooke Cowan, WTE; Gabby Drage, GS; Paynton Jolliffe, Cm.
8 Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, WTE.
6 Kira Gibbons, GS; Lily Mansfield, GS.
5 Acacia Edwards, WH.
Meanwhile, round two in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition kicks off with Friday’s match between Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk.
The Kangaroos and Hawks will play at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park from 5.30pm.
Four matches will be played on Sunday from 11am.
Echuca United takes on Woorinen at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
White Hills will play Storm in the Demon’s den at Scott Street.
Castlemaine faces Marong at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Sandhurst takes on Golden Square at Queen Elizabeth Oval.